Mychal Ladd with freshman Dominic Sauter
Who is Mychal Ladd? Some know him as a friend, others know him as a colleague, some even know him as a barber. Ladd has been the Roosevelt High School safety and security specialist since 2017 and has been with Seattle Public Schools since 2007.
Before working at Roosevelt, Ladd held several positions at other Seattle schools, including as the boys varsity basketball coach for Cleveland High School. Ladd says he prioritizes mentoring students and hopes to see them succeed. He elaborates, “I try to train them that opportunities don’t go away, they go to someone else.”
Ladd’s focus on mentorship came with him to Roosevelt, where he says his “cracking down on the Commons” is ultimately meant to create a less distracting learning environment for other students. “I see so many kids hanging out in the Commons and disrupting the Running Start kids or kids that the teachers send down to work quietly on their own,” he explains.
On the other hand, notwithstanding student statements published in the April issue of The Roosevelt News, Ladd says the security staff has been relatively lenient on the hall pass policy, allowing students free access to bathrooms as needed.
Regarding Roosevelt more generally, Ladd says the camaraderie within the student body and the positivity that is shared amongst students is what he is drawn to. “It’s a close knit community,” he says. “And you know, they’re really supportive.”
In addition to being in charge of the security team, Ladd also serves on the Building Leadership Team and the Building Safety Committee. His involvement with Roosevelt goes beyond just security and safety; he makes sure that his passion for mentorship is channeled in productive ways.
Ladd also currently works at Franklin High School as the girls junior varsity basketball coach. Looking ahead, he hopes to use his experience coaching sports teams in Roosevelt’s athletics as well. “I hate coaching other teams,” he says. “In the past, we’ve eliminated Roosevelt, and it sucks.”
Before working in schools, Ladd served in the United States Army. From there, he attended cosmetology school where he became a licensed cosmetologist. Since then, Ladd says he’s “been a mobile barber, and had salons all over the area.” He says his expertise in starting businesses was one of the reasons he became a high school sports coach: “I know how to build a program from scratch.”
Since becoming a licensed cosmetologist, Ladd has used his skills at Roosevelt, offering free haircuts to students who may not otherwise be able to afford them. “Pretty sure I’ll do a couple before prom,” he says.
Ultimately, Ladd is more than a security specialist. He’s a mentor and a coach to many, a friendly face and daily smile to others, and a barber to a lucky few. He’s always had a fondness for the Roosevelt community because he sees the students as the future. He’s proud of the athletes and musicians that this school produces, and is proud that there is such a strong legacy of success. “When it comes to Roosevelt High School,” he says, “tradition doesn’t graduate.”
